Recommendations

- — - — - — - — -

Sweetwater by Lisa Henry

Wyoming Territory, 1870.

Elijah Carter is afflicted. Most of the townsfolk of South Pass City treat him as a simpleton because he’s deaf, but that’s not his only problem. Something in Elijah runs contrary to nature and to God. Something that Elijah desperately tries to keep hidden.

Harlan Crane, owner of the Empire saloon, knows Elijah for what he is—and for all the ungodly things he wants. But Crane isn’t the only one. Grady Mullins desires Elijah too, but unlike Crane, he refuses to push the kid.

When violence shatters Elijah’s world, he is caught between two very different men and two devastating urges: revenge, and despair. In a boomtown teetering on the edge of a bust, Elijah must face what it means to be a man in control of his own destiny, and choose a course that might end his life . . . or truly begin it for the very first time.

Why you should read it: I thought this book was incredibly well done, though I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. It's got some dark themes that the author faces head-on, and there are moments that Lisa Henry's vivid writing makes for a stark picture. I definitely count these things as strengths, and was impressed with the way Henry balanced the difficult elements of the story. I found the ending very satisfying (don't worry, no spoilers here). And as always, Henry's dialogue and character voices are wonderful from start to finish.

- — - — - — - — -

Going Home by Mychael Black

When Robbie’s father dies and he agrees to leave Baltimore for a backwoods farm in Alabama, he’s counting on a lot of things. A funeral. Problems with his brother Russ. A lot of time spent in the closet. What he doesn’t count on is the new farm hand, Seth. The handsome Texan has him drooling from the moment they meet, and has him well in hand not long after. That kind of comfort is just what he needs as family issues rear their ugly heads, but will it last for them after the first rush wears off?

Why you should read it: This was an excellent shorter story. Good writing, interesting characters, definitely one I enjoyed. There are further books in the series, though I haven't read them yet. You can find more complete info here if you're interested.

- — - — - — - — -

Hot off the Press Anthology from Dreamspinner Press

Words hold the power to hurt as well as heal, and choosing them is a complicated and delicate process. No one knows this better than the men who work with them every day. Authors, reporters, reviewers and publishers struggle to balance truth, art, long hours, and stressful jobs. Whether they’re trying to write a novel or advance a career, it can leave little time for love. The men in this anthology are seeking romance on and off the job, in print and online, against backdrops of fact, fiction, and even fantasy. Their tales are different but have one thing in common—there’s a happy ending waiting on the last page.

Why you should read it: This is a solid anthology with a huge variety of stories, but there were three in particular that really got under my skin and blew me away...

On the Shelf by Eliza Maszar
I really loved both setup and execution in this one. Very sweet and well thought out, and I can't wait to see more by this writer.

Author's Notes by Kim Dias
I thought the characters in this story were just brilliantly done, and the whole thing was written beautifully in a style that took some fun chances and worked extremely well. This one really got to me.

Role Model by Becky Black
I thought the author did a fantastic job with the higher stakes in this story. The characters are coming from very different places, and Becky Black handles the inevitable conflicts and roadblocks in a way that felt incredibly genuine.